King Harry sticks boot into obesity
Ben Packham
September 13, 2006 12:00am
AUSTRALIAN soccer star Harry Kewell has been recruited by the Federal Government to join its fight against childhood obesity.
Prime Minister John Howard -- who crowned the Socceroo "King Harry" during the World Cup -- announced Kewell as an official health ambassador yesterday.
The glamour boy of Australian sport will visit schools and community groups to talk about exercise and healthy eating.
Kewell, who made a surprise visit to Canberra for the announcement, said he had a simple message for kids.
"When they're young, they need to be out there playing sport," he said.
"I know when I was young I was out there every day playing sport. It was phenomenal. And, hopefully, I can show them that if you do go outside and play sports, and if you live a healthy life, you can have a great life."
Mr Howard said childhood obesity was a growing problem, and he believed Kewell could help get kids active.
"Let's not muck about -- it's due to the fact that people don't exercise enough and it's also due to bad and lazy diets," the PM said.
"Our lifestyles have changed. Kids don't walk to school enough; they drive around too much. They watch too much television; they play too many video games instead of being out there playing sport, or any kind of physical activity."
Kewell joins Cathy Freeman and Kieren Perkins as health ambassadors.
Health Minister Tony Abbott said sporting heroes had the power to inspire young people to become more active.
"We can't all play for Australia, but can all do something to stay active and healthy and we just might realise those sporting dreams better if we have a go," he said.
Childhood Obesity